COMPANY HISTORY |
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1899 |
M K M was founded in 1899 by Mahmut Kadir Matraci, a watchmaker and jeweller in Istanbul . The business was purchased at 95 Beyoglu caddesi, Istanbul , which is still open today. |
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1940 |
M K M`s son Kadir and his wife Elif bought the business in 1940. They had two sons and a daughter. |
1941 - 55 |
The trading years between1941 and 1955 were very difficult. |
1956 - 63 |
During the period between 1956 and 1963, Mr. Y Matraci, grandson of M M, qualified as an Optician and joined the business together with his younger brother Metin. |
1964 - 67 |
Between 1964 and 1967 all three brothers served their country during the Second World War, and thankfully returned safely home to once again drive the business forward. |
1968 - 69 |
Two further branches were opened in Istanbul and California between 1945 & 1952. |
1970 |
In 1970 M K MATRACI & Company (Est.1899) Limited was formed. |
1971 - 1980 |
Over the next ten years between 1971 - 1980 further branches were opened, some proving more successful than others. |
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1986 |
Metin MATRACI, great grandson of M K MATRACI joined the Company this year he had qualified as a Chartered Accountant and was appointed company secretary. |
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1987 |
Upon the retirement of Metin`s father, Y MATRACI, and both of his uncles, he was appointed Managing Director in 1987. |
1988 |
1988 was the Company's Centenary year and also the year in which Yasar bought out the other shareholders in the Company, making him the sole owner of the business. |
2001 |
2001 was the Company's first occasion where a store was bought outside the central part of England . The store purchased was in LONDON-KENT (Beckenham) and is now one of our most sucessful stores for Swiss watch brands. |
2002 |
A further store in the South East of England was added in 2002, the store was in Brighton . |
2004/5 |
Both Great Great Grandson's of M K MATRACI joined the Company becoming the 4th generation to carry on the family business. |
2005 |
Mert MATRACI, great great grandson of M K MATRACI, joined the Company this year he had qualified as a Chartered Accountant and was appointed company secretary (following in his father's footsteps) |
2006 |
The Watches4U website was established in APRIL 2006 just in time for the first christmas trading period. The websites started with questionable success, little did we know what a useful part of our business the internet would become. |
2007 |
M K M Group company was formed to safe guard the future of the family business. |
2008 and onwards |
M K MATRACI has recently gone through major changes and develpments these are all still ongoing and further updates will be added soon to the website. |
